In the 1960’s, contact with patients was common in biomedical research projects (e.g., JCI, 1960’s). To remove the patient from the biomedical research enterprise would have been unthinkable. At the same time, fundamental science was recognized as having intrinsic value without a demand that it be “translational.” Transgenic mice ushered in a new, utterly dominant mode of “normal science.” In 2016, investigator-initiated biomedical research almost never involves the recruitment of a patient with a disease. At the same time, there is a diminished appreciation for the intrinsic worth of fundamental inquiry, which is almost never applied in the living humans. These two problems are related. Read more >>

Topic: Translational Versus Fundamental Research
6/01/2015
“Encourage fundamental research by requiring translational researchers who receive NIH funding to collaborate with basic researchers in order to explore mechanistic studies in addition to clinical research….”

(1) The training model thus far is that of the medieval apprentice- a trainee is to become a clone of his/her supervisor. (2) Trainees are rarely permitted to conduct work not expressly assigned/approved by supervisor. (3) Training goals for postdocs at a national level are unspecified. (4) All postdocs are trained as if they will become academic research professors.